BISMARCK, ND–Aberdeen goaltender Henry Dill stopped 41 shots, and the Wings power play converted three times in a 5-1 loss by the Bismarck Bobcats Friday night at the VFW Sports Center.
The Bobcats could not solve Dill, who has become perhaps the hottest goaltender in the league after taking over the top Wings netminder spot from Chad Catt. Dill has won six of his last seven starts. His win Friday night was the fourth straight for the Wings over the Bobcats, all at Bismarck.
Bismarck (28-18-4) was caught by Aberdeen (28-18-4) for second place in the NAHL Central Division, and took a three-point lead in the race for the Titan Machinery Dakota Cup, the traveling trophy played for by the two rivals.
Bjorn Sigurdarson scored twice for Aberdeen with the man-advantage, leading a power play that is second best (20.3%) in the NAHL. His goal at 5:19 of the first gave Aberdeen their first lead of the night.
Tony German (Bismarck, ND) equalized the game, sending a puck into traffic from the right point at 14:58 of the first, leaving no leader at the end of the period.
Only Aberdeen would score to end the game. Sigurdarson scored again on the power play at 6:54 of the second, then Jonathan Grebosky smacked a belt-high puck out of the air past Aaron Nelson (Bismarck, ND) at 9:02, giving the Wings a 3-1 lead they would take to the second.
Austin Heakins added the fourth goal, and the third on the power play, waving over the puck on his first effort from the left edge of the slot, but following up with a secondary effort at 15:28 of the third. Jordan Heller added an empty-netter at 18:58 to end the scoring.
The Bobcats face Aberdeen on the road Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on Supertalk 1270 and seen on www.fasthockey.com. Fans can find links to both broadcast sources on the Bobcat’s website, www.bismarckbobcats.com.